Wildlife Habitat Canada supportsconservation, stewardship and hunter recruitmentprojects across Canada, with funds directed from the Canadian Duck Stamp. Thank you to all waterfowl and migratory bird hunters for your continued support!

Environment and Climate Change Canada will be releasing the 2019 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit, with Canadian Duck Stamp affixed, in early August 2019.

The 2019-2020 Migratory Birds Hunting Regulation summaries are expected to be posted by Environment and Climate Change Canada in Summer 2019.

NEWS

Happy Anniversary to the Stamp!

In 2019, we celebrate a special milestone: the release of the 35th Canadian Duck Stamp in the series.

The first Canadian Duck Stamp was issued in 1985, and featured a pair of Mallards painted by world renowned wildlife artist, Robert Bateman.

The Stamp was created as a means to raise critical funds for conservation efforts across the country.

Since its inception, the Stamp has helped WHC invest over $50 million in conservation and stewardship efforts across the country!

We want to see your collection!Send us a photo of your Canadian Duck Stamps, and tell us what the Stamp means to you. #whcstampmeans

In case you missed it...Increasing the Price of the Stamp

The Increasing Need for ConservationInvesting in conservation is now more important than ever.

Today we face increasing threats throughout the conservation landscape. Habitat loss, over development, and climate change are putting pressure on our vulnerable wildlife like never before.

35 years ago, a group of like-minded conservationists came together, representing provincial wildlife agencies, grass roots conservation organizations and Environment Canada, to create a program to protect deteriorating habitat across Canada.

Wildlife Habitat Canada was formed, and the Canadian Duck Stamp was created to raise the necessary funds to invest in conservation action.

If you missed our last e-Newsletter, we highlighted the reality that the price of the Canadian Duck Stamp, currently $8.50, has not changed since 1991. As a result, the conservation purchasing power of the Stamp has greatly diminished over the last 28 years.

Why is this so important?

The money generated from the Stamp provides funds for important conservation and stewardship work through WHC's grant program. Consider this...

Environment and Climate Change Canada put a proposal to increase the price of the Stamp out for public consultation in Spring 2018. The process has been put on hold and it is still unknown as to when the Minister of Environment and Climate Change will make a decision on the proposed Stamp increase.

"I have encountered many hunters and non-hunters who think that wild duck and goose are not very good. I am quick to assure them that perhaps it was the way that the meat was prepared
(being careful not to insult anyone’s cooking, of course!)

and always suggest different techniques and recipes to convert them back to enjoying wild harvests. There are endless ways to prepare and serve wild game, which means that you can find something to make that anyone can enjoy."

Check out our new article in the Spring issue of Canadian Outdoorsman magazine. We touch on the importance of consuming your harvest and the benefits that go along with it!

As a wildlife painter and illustrator, his talent is spread across all four corners of the globe. Many of his works have been published in books, encyclopedias and wildlife and bird museums in Canada and abroad: the United States, Europe, China and Australia.

We are excited to welcome Claude back to our program with his piece, "Blue - Canvasback," which appears on the 2019 Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp and Print!

This is the second time that Claude's art has been featured on the Canadian Duck Stamp. "Break the Ice - Long-tailed Duck" graced the Stamp in 2013.

Waterfowl: it's what's for dinner!

WILD SIDES!

Looking for some great side dishes to accompany your wild harvest? Be sure to check out these great recipes by Chef Andrew in Ontario Out of Doors magazine online!

Our Communications & Outreach Coordinator, Andrew Rochon, is a chef by trade and an avid outdoorsman.

When he's not working at WHC or preparing food for weddings in the Ottawa area, you can find him out fishing, hunting or putting on cooking demos at the local Cabela's!

"I was not raised as a hunter. I do not have a collection of great wild duck recipes passed down through my family for generations. I became a hunter because of my passion and love for cooking wild game." -Andrew Rochon

WHC ACTIVITIES

Stamp Dollars at Work

The revenue generated by the Canadian Duck Stamp (affixed to the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit) provides the funding for WHC's conservation grant program.

In 2018-2019, the Stamp supported $1,280,000 in grants to 39 projectsacross Canada.

Partnership with Sustainable Outdoors Co.

Were you lucky enough to grab a limited edition Wildlife Habitat Canada and Sustainable Outdoors Co camo hoodie? For every hoodie purchased, SOC donated a portion of the proceeds to WHC to support our programs. Next up, keep an eye out for our WHC baseball hats that come in two different styles…HINT: one might include some camo!

WHC Welcomes New Board Members

Crystal RobertsonStewardship Coordinator, Toronto Zoo

Crystal has always had a love for wetlands and wetland wildlife. As an avid backcountry camper and canoe tripper, appreciating Canada’s natural spaces and realizing their benefits to human well-being comes hand in hand.

Crystal has spent the past several years at Toronto Zoo working through their Adopt-A-Pond wetland conservation program to help restore wetland habitats and share messaging that encourages a love and respect for wetlands and all the life that they support.

Dr. Michael G. AndersonEmeritus Scientist, Ducks Unlimited Canada

Mike is Emeritus Scientist for Ducks Unlimited Canada after serving 23 years, recently as Senior Conservation Advisor, and earlier as Director (and co-founder) of DUC’s Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research.

Previously, Mike spent 18 years at the Delta Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Station, last serving there as Scientific Director.

Mike has a Ph.D. in ecology, evolution and behaviour and has been involved in waterfowl research, primarily on the Canadian prairies, since 1972.

GET INVOLVED

Collector's Stamps and Prints

The Artistocrat of ducks, also known as the Canvasback takes centre stage as this year's featured species.

DID YOU KNOW?

Canvasbacks are a little slow to get airborne and need a running start, but once in the air they are strong and fast fliers, clocking airspeeds of up to 90 km per hour!

The proceeds from the sale of the Stamp and Print support habitat conservation and stewardship efforts across Canada.

Buying a Stamp (or Print) is one the easiest ways to become a partner in wildlife and habitat conservation!

Whether you are a hunter, birder, outdoor enthusiast, or simply want to help preserve our natural resources for future generations to enjoy, make your contribution to conservation TODAY by buying a Canadian Duck Stamp (or Print)!

You are receiving this email because you subscribed, are a partner, or checked off the box on your MGBH Permit: "I authorize Environment and Climate Change Canada to disclose my name and address to Wildlife Habitat Canada to receive information on how they use Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp funds to conserve wetlands and waterfowl, promote waterfowl hunting, and to learn more about how I can become involved."